Isaiah 10:5-19 - Judgment On Assyria's Arrogance

⁵ Woe be also unto Assyria, which is a staff of my wrath, in whose hand is the rod of my punishment. ⁶ For I shall send him among those hypocritical people, among the people that have deserved my disfavour shall I send him: that he may utterly rob them, spoil them, and tread them down like the mire in the street. ⁷ Howbeit, his meaning is not so, neither thinketh his heart of this fashion. But he imagineth only, how he may overthrow and destroy much people, ⁸ for he sayeth, "Are not my princes all kings? ⁹ Is not Calno as easy to win as Carchemish? Is it harder to conquer Hamath than Arpad? Or is it lighter to overcome Damascus than Samaria?" ¹⁰ As who say, "I were able to win the kingdom of the Idolaters and their gods, but not Jerusalem and Samaria. ¹¹ Shall I not do unto Jerusalem and their Images, as I did unto Samaria and their Images?"

¹² Wherefore the LORD sayeth: As soon as I have performed my whole work upon the hill of Zion and Jerusalem, then will I also visit the noble and stout king of Assyria, with his wisdom and pride." ¹³ For he standeth thus in his own conceit: "This do I, through the power of my own hand, and through my wisdom: For I am wise, I am he that removes the lands of the people, I rob their princes: and like one of the worthies I drive them from their high seats. ¹⁴ My hand hath found out the Hosts of the people, as it were a nest. And like as eggs, that were laid here and there, are gathered together: So do I gather all countries. And there is no man, that dare be so bold as to touch a feather, that dare open his mouth, or once whisper."

¹⁵ But doth the axe boost itself, against him that heweth therewith? Or doth the saw make any bragging, against him that ruleth it? That were even like as if the rod did exalt itself against him that beareth it: or as though the staff should magnify itself, as who say it were not wood. ¹⁶ Therefore shall the LORD of Hosts send him poverty in his riches, and burn up his power, as it were with a fire. ¹⁷ But the light of Israel shall be that fire, and his Sanctuary shall be the flame, and it shall kindle, and burn up his thorns and briers in one day. ¹⁸ Yea, all the glory of his woods and fields shall be consumed with body and soul. As for himself, he shall be as one chased away. ¹⁹ The trees also of his field shall be of such a number that a child may tell them.